Habs Clinch A Playoff Spot
by Robert L on Apr 9, 2009 10:13 PM EDT
Email
Print
Thank you, you stupid bunch of Boston Bruins. You will never learn. Thanks for helping the Canadiens into the playoffs. Hope the payback is satisfying.
Boston may have won the game in overtime, but it was more than a moral victory for the Canadiens, as the point earned places them in the post season and in the process proved they can match well against the Eastern Conferences top team.
The Bruins in this one, decided the best way to rid themselves of the Canadiens this season was through goonish tactics and thuggery and the ploy backfired as it has always done against Montreal.
The Bruins have blown entire playoff series thinking this method works. They don't get it.
The Habs left George Laraque and Gregory Stewart on the sidelines and came to Boston ready to play a hockey game. Had the Bruins stuck to hockey, the Canadiens might not have had so many opportunities to get its powerplay firing.
The Canadiens, burried 3-1 early in the second, were given ample chances to respond as Boston continuous paraded to the penalty box for a wide range of stupid gestures.
Boston may be a bigger team. They may be more talented. They surely are healthier. Montreal are smarter.
And the Bruins, unable to toss the Canadiens from the payoffs, have opened the door to the two teams meeting in the first round. Don't think the seeds of doubt haven't been sown as to whether they can handle the Habs.
Perhaps they have forgotten that not so long ago, Montreal won something like a dozen straight games against Boston.
There were several heroic players for the Canadiens in Boston, starting with defenseman Mathieu Schneider who played through an injury to give the Habs a lift. Not only did he bring his badly needed expertise to the Canadiens powerplay, but his ninth goal of the season knotted the game at 3-3.
He was simply 21:16 of inspiration in this one. Playing 7:42 on the powerplay, Schneider, along with surely nervous Yannick Weber, revived a dead PP since Markov's absence. The pair directed 9 shots at the Boston net, hitting with 6 of them.
Mike Komisarek played one of his toughest games of the year, and kept his composure through all the Bruin goonery. Komisarek played 22 minutes, threw 5 hits (a game high), and served four minor penalties. Each Komisarek infraction drew a Bruins player to the box with him, and in the cases of the Chara and Lucic scuffles, the Canadiens earned added powerplay time that was very beneficial. Good on Komisarek for hanging onto his gloves. The Canadiens needed him on the ice as often as possible.
Matt D'Agostini's compass eye made a return after a two month absence, and his two goals were big ones. Always a forgotten sniper in the Canadiens scheme, D'Agostini proved that he is dangerous when allowed that extra split second to wind up.
There was no shortages of great individual plays last night. Two that caught my eye involved the hustle of smaller players at key times in the game. On the play that resulted in the Schneider PP goal, captain Koivu threw himself at Chara behind the Bruins net, winning a puck battle that led to the goal.
In the late stages of the game, Chris Higgins won a footrace to wipe out an icing call that would have put Boston in the Canadiens end with under two minutes to play. Higgins gained the puck and seconds later his line drew the Bruins into another untimely call against them. Instead of a faceoff in their own end at a crucial time, the Canadiens then went on the powerplay. More importantly in the larger scheme, it enabled the Canadiens puck control to wind the game down and preserve the desperately needed point.
Alex Kovalev scored another patented wrister to get the Habs on the board, tying the game early in the second frame. His so called "down year" now includes a team best 26-39-65 totals. Six weeks ago I thought he'd played his last game for the Canadiens, now I'd like to see him play about 250 more.
With one game against Pittsburgh left, and a playoff spot clinched, the Canadiens now know they will be facing either the Bruins or the Washington Capitals in round one. Should the Canadiens not win Saturday, they will be in Boston next Wednesday. Montreal needs a Ranger loss to the Flyers on Sunday, combined with a win over Pittsburgh to make Washington their destination.
67 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Tough Loss
The Habs deerved better. They stood up to the Boston goons and played a spirited game. In the end, it was their own mistakes that cost them the game. D’Agostini was knocked off the puck in the offensive resulting in a 3-on-2 (1st goal) and Lapierre was knocked off the puck along his own blue line that sealed their fate.
As Robert said, the Habs played it smart and credit should be given to the coaching staff. Gainey was critized (on RDS, I think) for not dressing Laraque and Stewart but we should know by now that he does thing somewhat differently. While I thought they made a mistake of not calling up Weber sooner, the team was playing Boston as planned, tough but no stupid. O’Bryne was given the pine after taking the undisciplined penalty after the whistle (9 shifts).
Glad to say that Weber did not look out of place. While he and Schneider had some communication problem while on PP in OT, he did what he was asked to do and had 3 shots on goal. He played 9+ minutes on PP and 6+ on 5-on-5. Right now, he looks very much like a poor-man Streit but he is young and inexperienced so we can expect more from him next year.
And remember...
We aren’t even at 100%. Switch out O’Byrne for Markov and I really like our chances in the first round.
Watched the Pens vs. the Ning in person on Tuesday, if they play as poorly as they did Tuesday, Montreal should win.
I don’t know which team I think we’ll match up against best (Bos vs. Wash), but I know they had a helluva lot of fight in them tonight. Smart playoff hockey tonight, if we had our leading scorer I think we win tonight and I like our chances against either team…one way or the other it’ll be a fun series!
Go Habs Go!! We’re in the dance baby, now it’s time to make some noise!
Getting in, at this point, is all that matters. My money is on Markov being their for game one.
At the end of last season, Markov was banged up badly and reportedly wasn’t going to play in the World Cup. Three days later, there he was, playing for the eventual gold medal winning Russia.
My thinking is that had Montreal not gotten their needed point, Andrei would have played on Saturday.
I was shocked that the Bruins with nothing to lose sat back and allowed the Habs to bring it to them with 5 minutes to go. It was a relief, but a strange strategy.
I also had to sit through 25 minutes of the NESN announcers telling me how the Canadiens were undisciplined. Worst announcers in professional sports. For 30 years the Bruins have employed the worst homers I have ever heard.
With Markov and Schneider they Habs can win any series. I have zero expectations, but now that they are in, I will enjoy the ride.
Price is still not right, but I will pray he catches fire, Cam Ward style.
I don’t think it was a strategy, I think the Habs were coming on.
For over 30 years, the Bruins have had no idea what discipline is. They are as beatable as they ever were, and I’m elated that we could play them first round.
NESN announcers suck
The most unprofessional cheerleaders in all of sports. I’m hoping the Habs meet the black and yellow in the playoffs. Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.
They announce games on the HOME channel of the Bruins and are HOMETOWN announcers. Why does everyone always bitch about them being biased, that’s there job.
Jack Edwards is an easy target too so relax on him haha…
Since when is it in the job description to make shit up?
I could care less who you are cheering for, but creating storylines that fit your idea of what you want to be going on is NOT professional. The Bruins were NOT disciplined, the Bruins were NOT courageous, so describing a game that is not happening is disingenuous.
I have Center Ice and have listened to EVERY teams announcers and they are the WORST announcers in the NHL and rival Ken Harrelson in bias.
Call the game on the ice, not the one in your mind
I’m pretty sure this could go both ways with me saying the same about the Canadiens broadcasters and any other teams crew. So its pointless because the home team call is always going to be bias and see something different than the rivals see it.
I also said Jack Edwards was slow, I can’t take the backlash for his actions. he is a powerful man full of anger and passion for something since I don’t think its hockey.
I’m pretty sure this could NOT go both ways. If you watch other games from other announcers. NO.
Of course, it’s understood that there should be some partiality, and rooting for the “home team”. That’s acceptable… to a point. When it comes down to openly cheering and jeering in “fights” and squirmishes, then it is unprofessional. Its almost as embarasing as it is annoying, but hopefully the Bruins fans get some solace in their style perhaps. I guess they need that extra comfort…
Habs were very undisciplined late in the first period.
The Bruins definitely let the Habs right back in with some dumb penalties.
Lucic completely lost his composure and it hurt his team.
I see that Mike Komisarek and Ryan O’Byrne went to the Claude Lemieux School of Turtling.
I would have liked to see the B’s keep the Habs out of the playoffs but it looks like it could be Boston and Montreal again this year in the first round. Hopefully, the 1 seed beats the 8 seed again this year. It will certainly be a fun series as it always is when the 2 teams meet in the post season. Just save some of the tickets in Boston for the B’s fans. You guys travel well. We have to secure our borders better this year.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Apr 10, 2009 12:49 AM EDT reply actions
Turtling?
If the Habs wanted to fight Lucic & goons, Gainey would have dressed Laraque and I am sure Lucic will have fun. Remember the only game Laraque dressed early in the season? Julien yanked Lucic off every time Laraque was on the ice.
I mean taking runs at players, running their mouths and even starting shit after the whistle… those are all signs of not wanting to fight so your right the Habs weren’t there to fight. Face it, the Canadiens played like a group of Sean Avery’s last night and even Avery will actually fight occasionally. Disgrace to the game. Lucic was wrong in some of the shit he did but Komisarek and O’Byrne were too. So please don’t talk about “discipline” because both teams were as equally guilty of having none at moments.
As for the Laraque/Lucic thing, Lucic was injured at that time so why chance hurting his hand even more? And Lucic can actually put points up on the board and make a difference in the game while Laraque doesn’t even dress. Why lose a guy like Lucic for 5 for a bum like Laraque? Simple Hockey Coaching 101 which is obvious now that some people need a little more time to get than others.
Was Lucic hurt when he didn’t want to fight Brad May last week?
Funny how Lucic was DISCIPLINED when he didn’t fight Laraque, yet Komisarek and O’Byrne are chickens who turtle.
Either both are CHICKENS, or BOTH are disciplined.
If Lucic wants to show off to the crowd, then he needs to step up and throw down with Laraque, until then he needs to shut his mouth and play the game.
Lucic wasn’t starting with Laraque, who was on the ice only to fight Lucic. He followed him around the whole time and was just looking for a fight and still Lucic didn’t fight and kept making plays (one I believe turned into a goal).
Komisarek and O’Bryne were the ones starting shit or being just as involved as the Bruins in running their mouths and looking for fights. but when the fight happened they would drop to their knees and cover up. So yes Lucic was disciplined against Laraque and last night Komisarek and O’Bryne were not.
Lucic has fought plenty of guys just as tough as Laraque, don’t understand why you guys cry so much about that. You can’t beat us on the scoreboard so you think your only chance is in a fight? What is it?
First: Nobody in the NHL is Laraque’s equal. Lucic and Chara included. Lucic won’t fight George and I don’t blame him. He hasn’t matched up well against guys who pretty much exclusively fight, so it doesn’t make sense for him to drop ‘em. Chara has, but tried to wrestle more than fight…which I don’t blame him for, Laraque ain’t Vincent Lecavalier!
Second: Something that escapes me, how do you equate not dropping the gloves when you are the #1 defenseman in what amounts to a playoff game to being a turtle? Lucic spent 18 min off the ice. If he didn’t get himself into trouble do the Habs get a point…Maybe but maybe not. You said it yourself, the Habs were getting into it, but who crosssed the line and took extra minors. That is when discipline comes in. Physical play and getting under a players skin is different from fighting. Why do you think that you don’t see as much fighting during the playoffs?
Third: I hope the B’s play like they did last night if we see them in round 1, no team can overcome the penalties they took over a 7 game series. If that is what the B’s strategy, I’d say they are playing right into the Habs hands. Remember 3 powerplay goals without the top powerplay guy on the team, 5 defensemen (after Obyrne got benched) including a kid playing his second game.
by blockersave93 on Apr 10, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Your right on a lot of what you said and I will give you that. The Bruins did play like shit. But I dont see them ever playing like this again especially in the playoffs. I mean this game really didn’t mean that much to them. Yeah they are playing for the best record and there is always a little extra in B’s/Habs games but I think that why the “leesh” was off.
We did play into the Habs hands and it was a poor decision but honestly face washing and throwing punches WITH gloves on and then dropped to your knees and covering up when gloves are dropped is an Avery move and that deserves no respect. I liked the game plan the Habs had but it doesnt mean its right. Honestly the refs lost control of that game and there should have been people heading to the locker room on both sides of the ice a lot earlier.
Why is it acceptable for Chara to walk in and start throwing punches to somebody who has not engaged? This whole discussion is ridiculous. The Habs were not doing anything any more underhanded then the Bruins. It was tough hockey with scrums, there were no cheapshots. One team remained calm, the other teams was playing like it took place in major junior A.
That’s easy. Both are chickens.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Guess if you’re a Leafs fan you’ve got nothing better to do than make stupid comments on blogs of the playoff teams. Looking forward to gutless puke Grabovski getting maimed on the ice next year. Payback is hell.
Well Komisarek and O’Byrne had nothing to fight for, there was a hockey game to win. Their discipline at times (not O’Byrne) gave them PP’s which they scored on.
Chara and Lucic are much more usuful on the ice, but I hope they keep up the trend.
Bruins have always won the fights, but Montreal wins the games, rounds and Cups.
Couldn't agree more...
Mike understands that he needs to be on the ice. If you look at his ice time, 22 min WITH 8 min in penalties. He had to be on the ice to get the point. Playing a rookie (Weber) or a second year player that has taken a step back (O’Byrne) would have hurt our chances.
I am not a big fan of ducking and covering like O’Byrne did vs. Thornton, but you could tell they had a lot more to be worried about from their coach than the Bruins. Gainey had intent in his lineup and had them hold the line. For as much credit as Boston got for the win, they are playing for the President’s trophy and by standings should have beat us…but that’s why we play the games.
by blockersave93 on Apr 10, 2009 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
A 5-0-1 record versus the Bruins this season and just making it into the playoffs I would have thought would make you re-think that statement. Because you didn’t win too many games this season. And as for rounds and Cups. Well you wouldn’t be a Habs fan unless you mentioned the past because thats all you got. But you haven’t really won either of those two recently either.
5-0-1 is the past. As is 12-0 and being eliminated by the Canadiens in 2002, 2004 and 2008.
If the past meant nothing, people would still be naming their children Adolf. The past matters,
and you should be worried. Your boys had a chance to face the Panthers who would have been
happy to be there, instead they decided it was time to take revenge.
5-0-1 is this season so hardly the past? But the other things are from PAST seasons. See its simple, not that hard I thought.
People still name their children Adolf (those people were also retarded and got their kids taken away haha). The past matters in cases like that yes, but how does it reflect on a sports franchise? The teams and management are always changing so how can a Cup win from years ago mean anything relevant to today’s team?
I’d rather face you guys, the Panthers have actually beat us and played some good games against us this season. Truthfully, not trying to add fuel to the fire but I saw the Panthers as one of those underdog stories waiting to happen.
So last year going into the playoffs you think the B’s were saying that we are gonna get swept because thay hadn’t won against Montreal in 12 tries? Come on!
5-0-1 is as meaningless as 12-0…it’s all regular season.
Bruins threw everything they had last night and came away with a win. But if you don’t think that that gave the Habs confidence then you were watching another game. This one didn’t put the Habs out of the playoffs in spite of the B’s best efforts and the series will still be 0-0 come the first round.
by blockersave93 on Apr 10, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
I know this and you are correct playoof hockey is a different world. I was just responding to a comment by Rob saying the Habs always win the game, rounds and cups.
I don’t really think the Bruins threw everything they had last night at all. The Bruins got caught up with emotion do to the Canadiens playing with a purpose to get under the B’s skin and make them take penalties via cheat shots and barking. No disrespect if the Bruins were in the same place as you guys i would want them to do the same. you took us out of the game and almost took it away from us. But the Bruins played a very reckless physical game last night and thats it. If you think thats all they got then you have got to be kidding me because through the season series you know differently.
With that said I look forward to a great series (if it comes together like that) and to the fans that respect both teams and can get along (with some civil battling in between haha). You guys all seem very hockey savvy here and I will sure as hell point people here from my site in the playoffs to get some rivalry juices flowing. Love people who argue hockey but know what they are talking about when doing so and just don’t attack a country or something not even hockey related.
But that is how you play a bigger team...
You get under their skin and get them to draw penalties. That was Gainey’s plan and it worked. Take this quote:
"Not much," Lucic said when asked what he was thinking during his pursuit of Komisarek. "I mean, looking back, maybe I shouldn’t have went to that extreme. Maybe I lost my temper a little bit. But it’s part of the game and it happens."
He is right, and if the B’s don’t learn from last night, they’ll learn after they get knocked out of the playoffs playing like they did. Remember, the B’s ain’t a veteran team. Last year was the first for most of them, they can make mistakes just like last night.
I think a smaller team that can skate may be the blueprint to beating the B’s if they are willing to take some rough stuff and draw penalties. I doubt the Ranger’s could hold their discipline, so hope for a Philly Win Sunday and a Habs win Saturday.
by blockersave93 on Apr 10, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
The Bruins arn’t a veteran team? I think you need to look over the roster again and how many players not only have playoff experience but have won the Cup on the B’s..
I know the regular season means nothing in the playoffs but how come all the sudden the Habs are such a threat? The B’s have handled them all year and lost control in one game this season? Obviously they will learn from it and continue winning in the playoffs.
THere impact players are not exactly winners.
Savard – never won a playoff series
Thomas – never won a playoff series
Chara – played on a Sens team that continually choked in the playoffs
Ryder – won ONE playoff series
All their rookies – Lucic, Kessel, Krejci, Wheeler, Wideman, Hunwick
ZERO playoff wins
Recchi is no longer an impact player, Ward is not exactly an elite d-man, Yelle? His experience is as important as Dandenault’s.
That is not a playoff experienced team. Montreal went 12-0 against the Bruins and Philly last season and went 5-7 in the playoffs. The playoffs are a new season and ANYTHING can happen.
Seeing as the Bruins have entered a series against the Habs as major favourites in 1971, 1984, 2002 and 2004 and got bounced, I know Bruins fans are nervous. Robert was stating a fact, and the Canadiens will not roll over in a week.
Recchi isn’t an impact player? Why don’t you look at his number since coming to the Bruins and im pretty sure he sealed the deal last night against the Habs too.
With your whole last season 12-0 and 5-7 thing you kind of proved your point that the Canadiens arnt experienced at all in the playoffs to be that good in the regular season and blow that hard in the playoffs. So why do you sit here and talk about the Bruins?
Lucic, Kessel, Krejci, Wideman all played in the playoffs last year and are not rookies. And I would like to see the Habs playoff success by player listed out by the way.
The Habs haven’t made it past the semi-finals since they won the Cup in 1992-1993. How is that any more playoff experience than the Bruins have? I mean your ex-coach was even the captain of that team, how is that worthy to anyone currently on the team? You haven’t won anything so your experience is equal to the Bruins…
And why do you keep mentioning 1971 and 1984? Do you want me to sit here and talk about 1992 and 1988? We have upset you guys too in the past but it means nothing. We dont list that shit off cause it is useless when talking about the present.
Recchi is not an impact player and has not been for years.
I never said the Habs were experienced in the playoffs. What does that have to do with the Bruins lack of experience? What I do know is that they beat the Bruins in a 7 game series last year and that regular season victories have ZERO bearing on the playoffs.
!n 1988 the Habs finished 9 points ahead of the Bruins. In today’s NHL they would be the equivalent of a 1 seed losing to a 2 seed. The reason you view it as an upset is because it was the first time the Bruins beat the Habs in 40 years.
In 1992 the Habs finished 9 points ahead again. In today’s NHL it would be the equivalent to a 6 seed beating a 3 seed. Hardly monumental upsets.
In 1971 the Bruins were 21 points ahead of the Habs, In 1984 the Bruins were 29 points ahead of the Habs. In 2002 the Bruins were 14 pts up, but a 1 seed facing an 8 seed and in 2004 11 pts up with a 2 seed facing a 7th.
If you believe that this is the same as the Bruins facing the Panthers, be my guest. But it is not. Ask a Sens fan how much they enjoyed seeing the Leafs every year regardless of standing.
I was referencing the experience of when to throw a punch...
…and when to take one. Young players have a tendancy to lose their cool, just like one of the B’s best players ADMITS to last night. You think Recchi is gonna lose it in the playoffs at his age? Maybe that is why he had a 4 point night, he played the game rather than worried about anything else.
If the B’s wanna count on 4 points outta Recchi everynight to win a seriesI don’t see them getting past either the Rangers or the Habs.
by blockersave93 on Apr 10, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Boston Winning the Cup????
I guess you wanted to stir up the pot in a pretty much Habs based site and you got what you wanted. Sadly. Lets face it – the Bruins thought they could bully the Habs to submission – particularly after they were up 3-1. To me, Chara had no business going into the scum to start punching Komisarek. The ref was easy on Chara as he probably should have received an instigator penalty plus a 5-minute fight major plus a 10-minute miscounduct. The ref chose not to do that and it led on to all other scums. There are two teams in the league that are built (no doubt they have talents too) to bully – Boston and Philadelphia – and I must admit that I found bullies disgusting.
Komisarek had no buisness starting that scrum. Honestly, how can anyone see this game no matter what side you are on as the Bruins starting the bullying? The Canadiens were taking liberties from the start trying to provoke the Bruins into fighting and it worked. The Bruins lost their cool but how is that bullying? So if someone sat there and poked you with a stick none stop until you finally reacted you would be the one at fault and the “bully”?
You see Komisarek and O’Bryne as heros for “stepping up” for their team when all they were really doing was taking cheap shots all night and then waiting for a retalition to act like they did nothing. It worked the bruins got penalized but seriously if you cant even see who was the bully then you have no sense of the game.
Also Bruins built to bully? Pretty sure the Habs went out and signed Laraque simply to bully people. Other than Shawn Thornton, who do the Bruins have that doesnt add to the B’s offense and is there to be simply a bully?
If you take a good look, Komisarek was doing absolutely nothing on that play except finishing his check. If Chara doesn’t head there, it ends there.
On his hit on Lucic, same thing. Bruins could have had a PP there, but ended up giving Montreal one for no reason. Does Lucic need someone to stick up for him?
On the O’Byrne bump of Thornton, it was uninterntional. If O’Byrne would have wanted to fight, he would have dropped his gloves – he isn’t shy to – and he would have handled himself quite easily against Thortnon. It not like it was a mismatch. It’s clear that Gainey wanted to keep the D men on the ice in this game and not in the box. For not fighting, OB gets 2 and 2 and 10 for turtling. For flailing away on OB, Thornton gets just 2 minutes.
O’Bryne’s bump was as much as an accident as Sean Avery’s stick tap to the back of Thomas’ head the other night. He knew what he was doing and he didn’t want to fight because he was trying to draw penalties. And O’Bryne would not handle himself “easly” considering he would never fight him. He may be good at stealing from women but not fighting. He cleary skated into him then skated back at him when Thornton turned and threw his hands up in the air but once Thornton threw punch he dropped. So yes 2 for instigating, 2 for a minor and 10 major for causing problems all night. He should have been tossed so much earlier (along with Lucic).
Komisarek took a cheap hit on Lucic with that hit FROM BEHIND and Lucic went after him, how is that having someone else stick up for him? And yes it was from behind. And the Chara thing was because Komisarek was going after Krejci in the corner face washing him and throwing punches. Was at the game and saw it first hand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMWE8rX4G_k) watch it for yourself. Chara was standing up for him.
WATCH THE VIDEO! (or do you not see any of this, cause to me it looks like a Hab starts each incident so who are the “bullies”?)
Really, you equate a stick slap to the back of a goalie’s head to an accidental bump of shoulders.
Dude, your team is in your image!
The “hit from behind” occured because at the last second, Lucic coiled instead of absorbing it. It should even have been a penalties. Lucic’s a pussy. He can’t take a hit.
Even the ridiculous homer Bruin announcers said Lucic overreacted. There was nothing wrong with that hit.
And Chara DEFENDED a face wash with 5-10 punches to a guy who never dropped his stick or gloves.
Give it a rest. If Laraque did what Lucic/Chara did and attacked Lucic in Montreal when poor Milan had an injury, he would be a cheap shot artist.
A facewash is not a ticket for a fight, nor is an open ice hit or shoulder bump.
The Difference between Bullies and Toughness
In my view, New Jersey, San Jose, Calgary are tough teams. Boston and Philadelphia are bullies.
I don’t believe you. :)
If Canadiens fans were to say we would be happy to play the Devils in the playoffs would you believe that? …you shouldn’t.
The past IS the past, and there’s a lot of it, and not in the Bruins favor. If nothing else playing the Canadiens in the first round almost dooms the Bruins of NOT winning the cup, regardless of what happens in the series. The Canadiens would surely lose in the second round if they get past the B’s, but the B’s chances won’t be that much better either if it is the other way around.
After a season like the Bruins had, their best season since what… 1990? 1972? There’s no way they want to have to face the Habs, with the potential of having a great season like they have had get wasted… just like in 2002, 2004, 1971, 1973. Ok, that’s the past… well, it is certainly in our favor, and we’ll take that.
Yesterday’s shenanigans is a perfect example of the B’s fears. The Canadiens left their tough guys home and showed up to play, and did pretty well despite the injuries and despite playing their backup goaltender. Price let in a bunch of softies. Those soft goals not given up, it would have been a comfortable win.
You don’t have to but why wouldn’t we want to play a team that we have handled pretty well all season, not to mention they have a goalie that has been struggling randomly all year and looked very sloppy during last seasons series (the playoffs will be better now I bet though considering that he now has experience). I mean what has suddenly happened that makes the Habs so threatening? They were beat all season but all the sudden strike fear into Boston? You guys like to dream big huh?
Your using the past playoff series’s to say THIS year is in your favor? Hows that make sense to you. Half of these guys weren’t even teens back then and the others weren’t even on the Bruins. So hows the past relate?
Okay so the Canadiens showed up last night and put fear in a Bruins team that played sloppty hockey and took dumb penalties but still won. So what happens if the Bruins show up and strictly play their hockey in the playoffs? Considering everyone is saying the Habs “showed up” and played a great game and still lost I can only wonder what the final score would be if both teams did so. I mean 5-goals when your playing like shit against a team playing its best… I like our chances…
Where do I write that THIS season it is in our favor?
Bruins vs Canadiens
or
Bruins vs Panthers
Play a normal playoff series, or play a heated rivalry in the first round…
No doubt, any serious B’s fan would be concerned.. which, per example is why a Bruins fan such as yourself is on a Habs blog like this in the first place. :)
How can a Bruins fan come on here and say they handled the Habs all season so there should be no problem. The Habs entered the playoffs on a 12-0 run and brought it up to 14-0 before the Bruins won 3 of the next 4 to force Game 7.
Then the Habs faced a team they were 4-0 against and lost in 5 games.
Convince yourself you don’t care, but the Panthers would have been just happy to be there. Now you get a team that will believe it can beat the Bruins. And is one year removed from doing so with essentially the same team.
The past means something to the players for confidence.
Hub are you trying to convince us....
or are you trying to convince yourself.
I ain’t said anything about “the past” but you sure are bringing it up and arguing about it a helluva lot for someone that doesn’t think it matters.
Like I keep saying, I like our chances with Markov. I think the frustration and the propensity of the B’s to lose their cool could be the difference…a Habs goalie stoping a puck or two wouldn’t hurt!
by blockersave93 on Apr 10, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Is it just me, or is Dandenault smiling while in the scrum in the second picture? Oh, dandy.
by clinicallyinane on Apr 10, 2009 12:02 PM EDT reply actions
I’m just tired of us playing the Bruins in the playoffs, honestly.
We’ve been there, and won that for the most part. I’d like to see the B’s have a chance. They had a great season. They have a great team. I do think that there is a lot of “goon” labelling being misapplied to them just because they have guys who are tough and who can play. Personally, I’d be thrilled to have Lucic on the Habs.
Anyway, I’d rather play Washington, not because I think we have a better chance, but at least it’s a different team… and at least it’s not the Devils or Hurricanes.
Lucic and half the Bruins!
I’d like to see the Canadiens get T- Bay’s Artyukhin to deal with Chara!
I’d enjoy a Washungton series if Markov were around to help deal with Ovechkin. With Theodore, the Caps are capable of being upset.
Artyukhin is a bigger chicken than Komisarek. Sure, he’ll fight the Ville Peltonen’s of the league but not much else.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
actually, since we’re dreaming about getting some of the Bruins players, why not just get Chara?
Hehe.
Aside from our team being healthy, what we do need is some good hockey players that can fight (by hockey player standards). Like the Bruins. Lucic and Chara, obviously. But even Thornton. They can put him out there (usually) without worrying about him being a liability. But, what is Laraque’s contribution aside from wrestling, ,,,AND only with guys that oblige him? What the hell is the team’s “enforcer” doing asking people if they’d care to grapple???
Unless the league eliminates fighting (which is what I think they should do, but that’s another issue), someone like a Probert or Chara would be nice. Good with the rough stuff AND he can play hockey… and in Chara’s case, very well, too.
Fighters or Grits
Personally, I don’t think the Habs need fighters like Lucic or Chara. To win the Cup, they would need more grits. Someone who can grind it out and stand up to bullies like Lucic. I once saw Lucic kept hammering an opponent after the guy was down and out. Classy fighter like Laraque would never do such things. Only bullies do. In playoffs, teams have fighters do not win too many series. It is a combination of superb goaltending, fast-moving d-men, skilled plus gritty forwards that will win the ultimate prize. Chara is big and strong but did you notice that he was having problems with Plekanec on several occasions? It was like a big elephents trying to deal with ants.
Finally, Mr. Hub Hockey, Boston may have a good team or one would consider a better team than the Habs but they will not win the cup. Simply put, Tim Thomas is not a cup-winning goalie and their defence-corp is not the greatest.
Discipline Will Be The Key
Hi all just to let you know that this is my first post and I have to say Robert that in the past 40 years listening and reading or watching hockey games I must say that your Blog is the most interesting one I have yet to read., Congrats and keep up the good work. As for last night game I must say that it has sparked many serotonin reuptake inhibitors in our brain including mine. As I read everyone opinions, formal expression of judgment or advice by all I can only assume that if Montreal and Boston does meet in the first round it will increase your blog Robert lol.As for my opinion from last night game I truly believe that Boston should have won it without the overtime,however the undisciplanary action they took gave Montreal a past in the playoff or was it Bob Gainey last card in hand to play his player without dropping the gloves.As for Lucic act on Komisarek I saw Bob Gainey interview after the game saying he will be sending the tape the Toronto to see if their will be a disciplinary action.And finally I must say that I,m a true Montreal fan and always will be however with all the surrounded disturbencies all year long in Montreal I must say this is one playoff year I will not bet on Montreal to go very far., And as for your comment Robert as saying there’s always some relevance to be found when looking hard enough. There is always lessons,well I beleive that to be true, so if Boston plays Montreal I guess it will be a sweet revenge for Claude Julien being that it was Bob Gainey who fired him from Montreal., Great playoff everyone.
Ron, I thought serotonin reuptake inhibitors was a Formula 1 Racecar reference. I just had to Google.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
